Monday, November 17, 2014

Hey everyone! I'm sorry I have been neglecting this blog so much lately...between book contracts, writing, homework, and college search, I have been terribly busy!

I have a guest review for you today from Cortney. Here's what she thought of Anne Elisabeth Stengl's latest novel:

Thanks for having me here, Heather!

Dreams, bodyguards, secret orders, divided families and kingdoms, war, adventure, love, and of course… dragons all meld together in this epic new book of the Tales of Goldstone Wood. With Golden Daughter, Anne Elisabeth Stengl proves once more that she has been blessed with a tremendous gift for writing powerful, moving, and emotional tales.

Vibrant new characters join familiar favorites to create a unique cast of heroes and villains that you can’t help but love. Sairu, a Golden Daughter, is placed in the service of Lady Hariawan, a Dream Walker. To the eyes of many, she is nothing more than a handmaiden, but in reality, she is a highly trained bodyguard, devoted to her mistress for the rest of her life.

But other forces are at work, and Lady Hariawan is not the only Dream Walker, nor is she the only one in need of protection. A fan favorite returns in this book of the series to guard Sairu herself, and the bond that forms between these two is both lovely and unique.

Another returning favorite is the mighty villain, the Dragon, who seeks to fulfill his own dark purpose. Aiding him are many who feel displaced and angry with their lot in life.

At the same time, two brothers are divided by hatred and jealousy, and readers will be pleasantly surprised to discover a bit more of Sunan’s (from Goddess Tithe) backstory.

Several other mysteries are explained, including one which has been referenced multiple times since the beginning of the series in Heartless. Also, readers may discover threads woven throughout the story that are reminiscent of the Old Testament accounts of Joseph, Daniel, Esther, and even Adam and Eve. Truly Golden Daughter is an epic tale with far-reaching effects upon the worlds of Goldstone Wood, yet the struggles of the individual characters makes it relatable, and the powerful description breathes life to the characters and their story.

I would highly recommend Golden Daughter by Anne Elisabeth Stengl to any fan of Fantasy or even any fan of reading. However, if you intend to read the entire series of the Tales of Goldstone Wood, then I would recommend beginning with Heartless and reading through the rest of the books in the order they were written. Either way, you are certainly in for a treat with this delightful story and series!